Office Location is Irving, Texas and Albuquerque, New Mexico
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Office Location is Irving, Texas and Albuquerque, New Mexico
Quick Summary: Irving STEM OPT Immigration Lawyer
Need immediate help? Contact John W. Lawit, LLC.
Irving sits at the center of one of Texas’s most active technology corridors. The Las Colinas business district draws international talent from across the Dallas-Fort Worth region, and many of those professionals hold F-1 visa STEM work authorization and need legal guidance to protect it.
John W. Lawit, LLC serves STEM OPT applicants and graduates throughout Irving and the broader metro area. Attorney John W. Lawit brings over 40 years of immigration law experience to every case. Our firm helps F-1 graduates understand their options and take the right steps before critical deadlines pass.
Many international graduates working near Las Colinas or DFW International Airport begin looking for an Irving STEM OPT immigration lawyer when they realize their initial Optional Practical Training timeline is running shorter than expected. Others reach out after starting a new job, changing employers, or receiving an H-1B petition from their employer.
These are some of the most common situations that bring clients to John W. Lawit, LLC:
Navigating a STEM OPT extension without legal guidance creates real risks. Many students from SEVP-certified institutions such as UT Dallas, the University of North Texas, or schools in the Dallas County Community College District encounter compliance or documentation issues that were not anticipated.
One of the most common is exceeding unemployment accrual limits. F-1 students may accrue no more than 90 days during initial OPT and an additional 60 days during the STEM extension, for a total of 150 days.
SEVIS compliance errors are another serious concern that often goes unaddressed without proper legal support. I-20 updates and SEVIS transfer errors are especially common for students who transferred institutions or whose Designated School Official (DSO) did not process updates on time.
These errors can affect your entire application record before you even file if left uncorrected. Working with a SEVIS compliance attorney in Irving, Texas can help resolve record issues before they affect your STEM OPT eligibility.
STEM OPT extensions are governed by federal law and processed through a specific USCIS jurisdiction. Understanding the rules that apply to Texas-based applicants helps you file correctly and on time.
You must submit your Form I-765 application up to 90 days before your current OPT expires. USCIS must receive it no later than your expiration date. Missing that window can mean losing your work authorization entirely.
Irving-area filings are processed through the USCIS Texas Service Center. Processing times vary, so filing early gives you the best chance of receiving your updated EAD without a gap. For the latest on STEM OPT requirements, policy updates can affect eligibility and should be reviewed before you file.
Under 8 CFR 214.16, your degree’s CIP code must match the STEM-designated fields list. F-1 graduates maintaining F-1 visa STEM work authorization in Texas must also ensure their SEVIS record is accurate and current. The USCIS STEM OPT guidance outlines additional eligibility criteria worth reviewing before you submit.
Employers play a central role in the STEM OPT process, and two areas cause the most problems for Irving businesses: E-Verify employer registration and the I-983 training plan.
Under E-Verify enrollment requirements, employers must be actively enrolled before a STEM OPT extension can be approved. If your employer is not yet enrolled when you file, your application may be denied.
The I-983 training plan for Irving employers and employees most often includes the following required components:
The student’s DSO must review and sign off on the completed training plan before it is submitted. Incomplete or vague plans are one of the most common reasons STEM OPT extensions face delays.
Documentation issues can delay or derail an OPT extension, even in otherwise strong applications. Our legal team works with clients to identify and correct these problems before filings reach the USCIS Texas Service Center and trigger a Request for Evidence (RFE).
When your extension reaches the USCIS Texas Service Center, adjudicators review whether each element of your application is complete and consistent. They check your employer’s E-Verify status, your I-983 training plan, your SEVIS record, and your degree’s CIP code. Any inconsistency can generate a delay.
The career consequences of a delayed or denied extension are significant. A lapse in your EAD prevents you from legally working during that period. Days without authorization also count toward your unemployment accrual limits, which can shorten the time you have left in your authorized stay.
Working with a STEM OPT visa lawyer Dallas-Fort Worth area clients trust gives you a clearer picture of the Optional Practical Training timeline that applies to your specific situation. We review your full application before submission to identify gaps before they reach USCIS.
For many STEM graduates, the OPT to H-1B transition in Irving, Texas is a key part of their immigration planning timeline. The H-1B lottery opens once a year, and missing the filing window can create a gap between STEM OPT expiration and future work authorization.
If an employer files a timely H-1B petition before OPT expires, you may qualify for a cap-gap extension, which allows continued employment while the petition is pending. Eligibility is limited and depends on specific filing and timing requirements.
A STEM OPT extension attorney in Irving, Texas, can help align your H-1B timeline with your OPT expiration. Starting this process at least 12 months in advance provides more planning flexibility.
Our Irving immigration law office serves clients throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area during this transition. We can also help you with your STEM OPT requirements. Maintaining SEVIS compliance during this period is essential to protect your record.
You may file your STEM OPT extension up to 90 days before your OPT expires. USCIS must receive your application before your current OPT end date. Filing early helps reduce the risk of work authorization gaps while your case is pending.
Your STEM OPT extension may be denied if your employer is not enrolled in E-Verify at the time of filing. E-Verify participation is a required condition for STEM OPT eligibility. Employers should confirm enrollment before you submit Form I-765.
Yes, an attorney can help you understand the H-1B lottery process, cap-gap rules, and sponsorship requirements. Legal guidance can also help you coordinate timing between OPT expiration and H-1B filing windows. John W. Lawit, LLC assists Irving clients in planning this transition early to avoid status gaps.
John W. Lawit, LLC assists F-1 graduates and employers throughout Irving and the Dallas-Fort Worth area with STEM OPT matters. Attorney John W. Lawit brings over 40 years of immigration law experience and a detailed understanding of USCIS procedures and filing timelines.
If you have questions about your work authorization, Form I-983, or next steps after STEM OPT, early legal guidance can help you plan more effectively. Contact us at (214) 609-2242 to discuss your situation and timeline.
